CES2019: Torc and Transdev develop self-driving shuttle

Autonomous tech company Torc Robotics is partnering with Transdev, operator and integrator of mobility solutions, on a self-driving shuttle platform. The companies announced their partnership at CES19 in Las Vegas.

Torc is licensing its Asimov self-driving software stack and sensor suite architecture for the i-Cristal autonomous shuttle developed by Transdev/Lohr. The electric shuttles with a capacity of 16 passengers are SAE Level 4 (fully-autonomous in select areas) and operate without a steering wheel or pedals. The integration of the Torc Robotics tech will allow the shuttle to blend into urban traffic while maintaining the highest safety standards at speeds of up to 19 mph/30 kph.

“Our partnership brings together two companies with a similar vision for the future of autonomous mobility,” says Michael Fleming, Torc CEO. “We believe that shared mobility will be one of the cornerstone applications that lead the way to mass adoption of self-driving consumer vehicles.”

“At Transdev, we believe the future of mobility is increasingly P.A.C.E.: Personalized, Autonomous, Connected and Eco-Friendly,” says Yann Leriche, Transdev’s North America CEO and Head of Autonomous Transportation Systems. “We believe that public transport will lead and be the first place real autonomous services will be developed. With Torc’s expertise in autonomous technology, we will accelerate our capability to develop innovative solutions.”

Safe and efficient mobility “Ultimately our goal with developing self-driving technology is to save lives and make transportation more affordable and efficient,” Michael Fleming of Torc says.

The partners have already begun testing on closed courses, while testing on public roads will proceed after obtaining successive safety authorizations and before providing public service trials in two locations in France: Paris-Saclay1 and Rouen2.

In Paris-Saclay, the shuttles will operate in a dedicated lane offering a shared-ride mobility service at night and off-peak hours between the Massy transit station and the Paris-Saclay campus. In Rouen, the shuttles will operate on public roads offering a shared-ride mobility service throughout the business park and connecting to the tramway station.